How do we reduce teen car thefts in Pinellas County?

A bill just went into effect this month to try and cut down on that epidemic.

Author:
Mark Rivera

Published:
11:03 PM EDT October 17, 2017

Updated:
4:10 AM EDT October 18, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Lewis Stephens Jr. believes proposed legislation that would allow law enforcement to keep better track of "prolific juvenile offenders" once they leave detention centers is not an effective way to reduce youth crime.

The key is impacting these kids before they become repeat offenders, Stephens said.

“Outside of the school walls, there's nothing for young people to do,” said Stephens, who mentors youth in St. Petersburg.

“We're talking about kids who are exposed to domestic violence in the home,” said Stetson Law professor Judith Scully. “Kids who are exposed to violence on the street or at school. We're talking about death. Having experienced death several times before even getting to high school sometimes.”

Solutions like more funding for social programs for at-risk children instead of longer sentences were addressed among the adults in the room.

But Adrian White, 17, had a simpler solution, like structured activities, leadership roles and jobs.

“They don't have a father figure or big authority in life to kind of guide them through the right path to make the right decisions," White added. "And I think that's what's kind of missing."

Sometimes, teens just want to get out and see other places, said Rolando Sims.

“I feel like if they know that there's more out there in the world than just this community, then they'll probably want to explore more than just stay here and do the things that they're doing now," the 17-year-old said. "It's just that they don't have the opportunity."